The Nevada Unfair Trade Practice Act sets forth various activities that constitute an unlawful contract, combination or conspiracy in restraint of trade and authorizes the Attorney General to investigate and take certain actions against persons who engage in such activities, which may include, without limitation, criminal prosecution and the imposition of civil penalties. (Chapter 598A of NRS) Existing law makes it a category D felony to engage in such activities. (NRS 598A.280) This bill includes among the activities that constitute an unlawful contract, combination or conspiracy in restraint of trade manipulating the price of an essential good or service in this State. This bill defines “essential good or service” to mean any good or service: (1) that is needed on a daily or recurring basis for the livelihood of a person, including, without limitation, food, medicine or shelter; and (2) the price for which results in the person paying more than $750 for the good or service over a 30-day period or $9,000 for the good or service over a 1-year period. Under this bill, a person manipulates the price of an essential good or service when the person, alone or in concert with others, intentionally engages in any fraudulent or deceptive conduct which is intended to and does cause the price of an essential good or service in this State, as compared to the price of comparable essential goods or services readily available in the 24 months immediately preceding the conduct, to increase in a manner that does not reflect the basic forces of supply and demand.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 598A.060
BDR: 598A.060